Face-balanced golf putter

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a golf putter having an offset shaft and balanced putter head which enables a golfer to accurately putt a golf ball towards a hole. The putter includes a shaft and a putter head. The shaft defines the toe portion and a heel portion of the putter head. The putter head includes a front surface, a back surface, a top surface, a bottom surface, and a receptacle defined by the putter head. The receptacle is preferably formed in the bottom surface of the putter head and receives a corresponding weighted plug. The center transverse axis of the weighted plug is axially aligned with the center transverse axis of the shaft along the longitudinal axis of the putter head to exactly balance, or at least approximately balance, the toe and heel portions of the putter head. The weighted plug is preferably inserted in the receptacle to balance the golf putter. In another embodiment, the weighted plug is attached to a surface of the putter head.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Golf putting is an essential part of any golfer's game. For manygolfers, putting is the most difficult aspect of the game. Puttinggreens vary in dampness, softness, length and texture of grass, andseveral other factors that affect a putt. All putting greens aredifferent, and therefore a golfer must adjust to each green.Additionally, a golfer's own putting stroke may vary and affect thealignment and accuracy of the golfer's putts. As a result, golf clubmanufacturers have designed several different styles and types of golfputters to help golfers overcome their own putting deficiencies as wellas other difficulties of putting.

[0002] Putting performance greatly depends on a golfer's ability tocorrectly align the putter with a hole and then hit the golf balleffectively and sufficiently so that the golf ball travels the correctdistance to the hole. The angle of the shaft and the weight balance ofthe putter head are two factors that affect a golfer's putting strokeand follow-through. Thus, golf putter designs have, in part, focused onthe angle of the golf putter shaft and on the weight distribution in thegolf putter head.

[0003] The angle of the golf putter shaft is one factor that affects thealignment and control of the putter. The optimum angle is zero degrees,or no angle, between the shaft and the vertical axis. In this case, theshaft is attached directly to the center of the putter head and extendsstraight up from the head or along the vertical axis from the center ofthe putter head. This style of golf putter enables a golfer to havesubstantial control over a putt because the straight, centered shaftimproves the golfer's balance and control over the putter. This style ofputter, however, enables a golfer to have too much control of a putt andthe accuracy of the putt. Therefore, to make putting more difficult andto increase the use of a golfer's skill to make a putt, the UnitedStates Golfer's Association (USGA) formed rules that govern the shaftdesign of a putter as well as other parts of the putter such as theputter head. According to USGA rules, the projection of the straightpart of the putter shaft must diverge from the vertical axis by at leastten degrees. Several known putter designs have accordingly altered theangle between the putter shaft and the vertical axis that extends fromthe center of the putter head. Thus, golfers must adjust their puttingstance and strokes based on the slanted shaft designs required by theUSGA rules.

[0004] The weight distribution or balance of the putter head alsoaffects a putt. Generally, there are three types of balance associatedwith the weight distribution of a putter. Putters are generallytoe-weighted, face-balanced or somewhere between toe-weighted andface-balanced. These design terms refer mainly to the putter head. If aperson lays a putter on a table and the toe portion of the putter headhangs straight down while the heel portion is pointing up, the putter isconsidered toe-weighted. Toe-weighted putters are typically better forgolfers who have a putting stroke that moves in a gentle arc around thegolfer's body because a toe-weighted putter closes the angle of theputter face as it moves through a putting stroke. Thus, a golfer who hasa pendulum style, or back and forth stroke, will be less likely tocontact or hit a golf ball in the “sweet spot,” or optimum spot, of thegolf ball during a putt using a toe-weighted putter. The golfer willmore likely hit the ball off center instead, which causes excessive facemovement across the face or front surface of the putter head. Excessiveface movement causes a putted ball to travel off target and miss thehole.

[0005] A face-balanced putter employs an even and uniform weightdistribution about the vertical axis formed by the putter shaft. Theweight distribution of a face-balanced putter is uniform because theweight of the toe and heel portions of the putter head are approximatelyequal. Generally, golfers that have pendulum-like putting strokes willbenefit from face-balanced putters because the even weight distributionof the putter head maintains a square and fluid putting stroke throughthe impact of the golf ball. Therefore, a face-balanced putter is morelikely to contact a golf ball squarely and direct the ball towards ahole based on the alignment of the putter with the hole.

[0006] The remaining types of balance use putter heads and shaft designsthat create a putter that falls between the face-balanced position andthe toe-weighted position. The intermediate balanced putters arebalanced so that the face of the putter head ranges from fifteen toeighty degrees from the horizontal axis when the putter is laid upon aflat surface. These putters are used by golfers having various puttingstyles and strokes.

[0007] Examples of such putter designs are provided in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,603,666; 5,795,239; and 6,083,115. U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,666, entitled“Golf Putter,” which issued on Feb. 18, 1997, discloses a golf putterhaving an adjustable shaft and weighting system. The shaft is adjustableusing three set screws 36 and 38 which tighten the end of the shaft thatis inserted into the putter head. The putter is adjustable by fillingbore receptacles, which are aligned perpendicular to the swing path ofthe putter, with steel balls. The bore receptacles contain screws 36 andare sealed at the toe and heel portions of the putter head with plugs.The weights in the weighting system are mounted on both sides of theputter head and on both sides of the shaft. The weights are said toenable a golfer to alter the weight distribution of the putter toaccommodate different putting strokes and styles.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,795,239, entitled “Golf Putter,” which issued onAug. 18, 1998 discloses an improved putter design for increasing puttingaccuracy. The increase in putting accuracy is accomplished by aligningthe center of gravity of the putter with the swing path and strikingpoint of the putter head. Aligning the center of gravity is said toreduce the putter head rotation when the ball is not contacted directlywith the center of the putter head. An adjustable counter weight andspecifically, a weighted screw, is incorporated into the front surfaceof the putter head. The counter weight may be adjusted to suit thepreferences of a user. The putter further includes a removable puttingsurface and shaft.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,083,115, entitled “Golf Putter,” which issued onJul. 4, 2000 discloses a putter including a weight member positioneddirectly behind the front surface or putting surface of the putter. Theweight member has a center of gravity in front of the longitudinal axisof the putter head that extends from the toe portion to the heel portionof the putter. The positioning of the weight member is said to improvethe follow-through of a golfer's stroke during a putt. However, thisputter design creates an uneven weight distribution between the frontand back surfaces of the putter head. The weighting member may bereplaceable with other weights to accommodate the putting preferences ofdifferent golfers.

[0010] The above described patents generally disclose how to change theweight of a putter to accommodate a golfer's comfort and feel of aputter during a golf stroke, but do not disclose a face-balanced putter.U.S. Pat. No. 3,954,265, entitled “Balanced Golf Club,” which issued onMay 4, 1976 disclose a face-balanced putter. The putter includes a shaftand head where the shaft has compound reverse curves 25 and 26 locatedabove the attachment point to the head. The putter head 11 is positionedon the end of the shaft 12 so that the putter head and shaft areapproximately balanced. The putter is balanced at a point 31 that isadjacent to, but spaced from, the putter head. This putter does notbalance the putter head itself and does not use weights or otherattachments to evenly distribute the weight in the putter head.

[0011] As indicated above, face-balanced putters enable certain golfersto level their putting stroke and to consistently and accurately hit agolf ball during a putt. As a result, golfers can improve their puttingskills and increase their level of enjoyment with the game of golf.Existing face-balanced putters, however, use curved shafts or a similarshaft configuration to adjust the balance point of the putters. Thesetypes of putters are difficult to balance because the curve of theputter shaft and the attachment point of the shaft must be repeatedlyadjusted until the proper balancing is achieved. Therefore, there is aneed for an improved golf putter which balances the putter head andenables golfers to consistently and accurately putt golf balls.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention provides a face-balanced golf putter havinga putter head, a shaft attached in an offset position along thelongitudinal axis of the putter head and a weight or weighted plugpositioned along the longitudinal axis of the putter head to providegolfers with the maximum moment during a putting stroke. Theface-balanced golf putter of the present invention enables a golfer toconsistently and accurately putt a golf ball to a desired location suchas a hole. The golf putter of the present invention, which isalternatively referred to as a putter, includes a shaft, a putter headand at least one balancing weight or weighted plug having the exactweight necessary to face balance the putter head, based on thedimensions of the putter head, the shape of the putter head, thematerial of the putter head and the position of the shaft.

[0013] In one embodiment, the shaft is inserted into the top of theputter head along the longitudinal axis of the putter head.Alternatively, the shaft may be attached to the putter head using anysuitable conventional fastening methods. The shaft is preferablycylindrically shaped and is positioned on the longitudinal axis offsetfrom the center transverse axis. A conventional grip is attached to theopposite end of the shaft. The grip is adapted to be grasped by thegolfer to provide better handling and control of the shaft. The weightedplug is attached to or inserted in the putter head to evenly distributethe weight between the toe and heel portions of the putter head. Theface-balanced putter thus enables a golfer to squarely contact a golfball and to adjust the follow-through of the golfer during a puttingstroke to accurately hit and direct the golf ball towards a desiredlocation such as a hole.

[0014] More specifically, the putter head includes a body having a topsurface or top, a bottom surface or bottom opposite the top surface, afront surface or face which laterally extends between the top surfaceand the bottom surface, and a back surface or back, opposite the frontsurface and laterally extending between the top surface and the bottomsurface of the head. The outer end or portion of the putter head thatdoes not include the shaft is generally referred to as the toe portion,and the fixed end or portion of the head to which the shaft is attachedis generally referred to as the heel portion.

[0015] In one embodiment, the putter head defines a receptacle in theheel portion (i.e., on the same side as the offset shaft). Thereceptacle extends from the bottom surface vertically upwardly insidethe heel portion of the head. The receptacle is positioned on the samelongitudinal axis of the putter head as the shaft. The receptacle issuitably sized and shaped to receive at least one weighted plug, whichbalances or equalizes the weight of toe and heel portions of the putterhead.

[0016] The weighted plug is inserted into and secured in the receptacleand provides the exact amount of weight to the heel portion of theputter head to counterbalance or offset the weight of the toe portion.Thus, the weight of the weighted plug depends on the factors listedabove as well as the style and type of golf putter. Accordingly, itshould be appreciated that the exact weight of the plug must bespecifically calculated for each putter type and that the density of theweight or weighted plug will be greater or substantially greater thanthe density of the material used for the putter head. The weight of theputter head is also preferably distributed directly on the samelongitudinal axis as the shaft. Accordingly, the present inventionprovides a face-balanced putter, which is balanced in two differentdirections, between the front and back surfaces of the putter head andbetween the toe and heel of the putter head. The balancing of the putterhead in two directions is achieved because the weighted plug is centeredon the same longitudinal axis as the center of the offset shaft and theweighted plug provides the exact or approximately exact weight necessaryto balance the toe and heel portions of the putter head along thelongitudinal axis and perpendicular or transverse to that axis.

[0017] In another embodiment, the putter head includes sight lines,which aid a golfer in lining up a putt with a desired location such as ahole. The sight lines are formed in the top surface of the putter andare viewable from above by a golfer. Preferably, the sight lines arelines formed across the top surface of the putter head and aresubstantially perpendicular or transverse to the front and back surfacesof the head.

[0018] It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to providea golf putter having an offset shaft and a center aligned weightpositioned in the putter head that face-balances the putter.

[0019] Another advantage of the present invention to provide a golfputter having an offset shaft and a weight that is inserted into aputter head to exactly balance the toe and heel portions of the putterhead.

[0020] A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a golfputter having a putter head that maximizes the moment during a puttingstroke.

[0021] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a golfputter having a putter head that enables a golfer to consistently andaccurately direct a golf ball during a putt.

[0022] Additional features and advantages of the present invention aredescribed in, and will be apparent from, the following DetailedDescription of the Invention and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0023]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the presentinvention illustrating a golf putter having a putter head with av-shaped bottom surface and an offset shaft mounted to the putter head.

[0024]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the golf putter of FIG.1 illustrating the weighted plug removed from the putter head and theposition and location of the receptacle (shown in phantom) in the putterhead which receives the weighted plug.

[0025]FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the golf putter of FIG. 1illustrating the weighted plug (shown in phantom) in the putter head.

[0026]FIG. 4 is a top view of the golf putter of FIG. 1 illustrating theoffset shaft insertion point and the weighted plug (shown in phantom) inthe putter head aligned along the center longitudinal axis of the putterhead.

[0027]FIG. 5 is an elevation view of the back side of the golf putter ofFIG. 1 illustrating the offset shaft (partially in phantom) and theweighted plug (in phantom).

[0028]FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a center-shaft putter illustratingthe weight of the toe portion, A, and the weight of the heel portion, B,of the putter head.

[0029]FIG. 7 is a schematic view of an offset shaft putter illustratingthe weight of the toe portion, A+X, and the weight of the heel portion,Z.

[0030]FIG. 8A is schematic view of the present invention shown in FIG. 1illustrating the weight of the toe portion, A+X, the weight of the heelportion, Z−C, and a weight C which is the weight of the material removedto form the receptacle in the heel portion of the present invention.

[0031]FIG. 8B is a schematic view of the present invention shown in FIG.1 illustrating the weight of the toe portion, A+X, the weight of theheel portion, (Z−C), and a weight D which is the weight of the weightedplug.

[0032]FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of the golf putter of FIG. 1positioned on a level table top illustrating the face-balanced featureof the present invention.

[0033]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the presentinvention illustrating the weighted plug inserted in the top surface ofthe body of the putter head.

[0034]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the presentinvention illustrating the weighted plug attached to a surface of theheel portion of the putter head.

[0035]FIG. 12 is a top view of another embodiment of the presentinvention illustrating sight lines formed on the top surface of theputter head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] The face balanced golf putter of the present invention enables agolfer to more accurately and consistently putt a golf ball. Generally,putter heads are not evenly weighted. The toe portion of the putter headis typically heavier than the heel portion of the putter head becausethe putter shaft is mounted in an offset position closer to the heel ofthe putter head than the toe of the putter head. The offset shaft is thepivoting axis for the putter head and thus, the putter head naturallyturns or pivots towards the heavier toe portion of the head. Therefore,the weight of the toe portion pulls the face or front surface of theputter head inward and causes uneven contact between a golf ball and thefront surface of the putter head during a putt.

[0037] In one embodiment, the present invention eliminates the unevenweight distribution between the toe and heel portions caused by ordefined by the position of the offset shaft by positioning a relativelyheavy weight or weighted plug in the heel portion of the putter head.The weighted plug increases the weight of the heel portion of the putterhead so that the weight of the heel portion exactly or approximatelyequals the weight of the toe portion of the putter head. The weight ofthe weighted plug is specifically determined based on the material ofthe putter, the dimensions or size of the putter, the shape of theputter head, the style and type of the putter head and the offsetposition of the putter shaft. Furthermore, the weighted plug is centeredand positioned on the longitudinal axis of the putter head that passesthrough the center of the offset shaft. Thus, the weights of the toe andheel portions of the putter head are exactly equal or approximatelyequal, and balanced along the longitudinal axis and perpendicular tothat axis, to enable a golfer to consistently and accurately putt a golfball.

[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 5, a golf putter of oneembodiment of the present invention is shown and generally designated bynumeral 50. Throughout the description, the golf putter 50 will bealternately referred to as the golf club putter or the putter. The golfputter 50 generally includes: a shaft 60 for holding and controlling theputter; a putter head 62 mounted to one end of the shaft 60 for aligningand contacting a golf ball and a weight or weighted plug 88 forbalancing the head 62.

[0039] The putter head 62 includes a toe portion 64 and a heel portion66. For purposes of this application, the toe portion is generally theouter portion of the head 62 that does not include the shaft. The heelportion 66 is generally the inner portion of the head 62 to which theshaft is attached. In the illustrated embodiment, the head includes anelongated top surface or top 68 and a v-shaped bottom surface or bottom70 that is opposite to the top surface 68. It should be appreciated thatthe bottom surface and other surfaces may be any suitable shape. Thebottom surface 70 faces downward and is the closest surface to theground when a golfer is putting a golf ball. The bottom or bottomsurface 70 includes in one embodiment a sole portion 80, which is madeof a suitable durable material such as stainless steel. The sole portion80 is v-shaped and conforms to the bottom surface 70. The v-shapeddesign enables a golfer to pivot the golf putter 50 to adjust thepositioning of the putter with respect to the golf ball and minimizesthe friction between the bottom contact surface of the putter and theground during a putt. It should be appreciated that the putter headitself may be made with any suitable material.

[0040] A front surface or front 72 extends laterally downward from oneedge of the top surface 68 and is connected to the top surface 68 to thebottom surface 70. The front surface 72 is the forward-facing surface orface of the putter head 62, which contacts or impacts a golf ball duringa putt. A back surface or back 74 extends laterally downward from theedge of the top surface 68 that is opposite to the front surface 72, andis connected to the top surface 68 with the bottom surface 70.

[0041] A receptacle 78 is defined by the putter head. In one embodiment,the receptacle 78 is formed in the bottom surface 70 of the heel portionof the putter head 62 and extends upwardly from the bottom surface 70towards the top surface 68. It should be appreciated that the receptacle78 may be formed in the top surface 68 and extend downwardly into theputter head as illustrated in FIG. 10 and described below. Preferably,the receptacle 78 does not extend completely through to the top surfaceof the putter head 62. In one embodiment, the receptacle 78 iscylindrically shaped and has an opening adapted to receive a similarlyshaped weight or weighted plug 88. It should be appreciated that theweighted plug 88 and the receptacle 78 may be any suitable shape. Thereceptacle 78 is formed in the heel portion 66 of the putter head 62 tobalance the weight of the putter head 62 as further described below. Itshould be appreciated that the weight or weighted plug is positioned sothat the plug surface is flush or even with the corresponding surface ofthe putter head. In order to create an equally balanced putter head, thereceptacle 78 is directly aligned along the center longitudinal axis ofthe head. The shaft is also aligned along the center longitudinal axis.This alignment along the longitudinal axis also works to achieve anexactly or substantially equal weight balance between the toe portion 64and the heel portion 66 of the putter head 62. The weighted plug 88 isshaped similarly to the shape of the receptacle 78 so that the weightedplug 88 may be inserted into and secured in the receptacle 78. In oneembodiment, the diameter of the weighted plug 88 is approximately thesame diameter of the receptacle 78 so that the weighted plug 88 fitssecurely into the receptacle 78. In another embodiment, the receptacle78 and the weighted plug 88 are threaded so that the weighted plug maybe screwed into the receptacle 78. It should be appreciated that anysuitable fastening methods may be used to secure the weighted plug 88into the receptacle 78.

[0042] As indicated above, the weight of the weighted plug 88 is basedon the putter head size, shape and material in addition to the positionof the shaft as described below. The weighted plug 88 is preferably madeof a suitable durable material such as metal, and in one embodiment ismade of Tungsten which has a greater density than other materials. Inone example embodiment, the total weight of the head is 335 grams andthe weight of the plug is approximately 70 grams to properly balance theweight between the heavier toe portion of the putter head 62 and theheel portion. The density of the material that forms the weighted plugis preferably greater than or substantially greater than the density ofthe material that forms the putter head. The density and positioning ofthe weighted plug 88 in the receptacle 78 on the heel portion 66 of theputter head 62 enables the weight of the weighted plug 88 to balance orcounteract the weight of the generally larger toe portion 64 of theputter head about the axis created by the shaft 60 as further discussedbelow. Preferably, the weighted plug 88 is inserted so that the centertransverse axis 86 of the weighted plug 88 is parallel to the centertransverse axis 94 of the shaft 60. It should be appreciated, however,that the weighted plug 88 may be positioned at any angle desired insidethe putter head provided that the center of the weighted plug ispositioned on the longitudinal axis of the putter head.

[0043] The sole portion 80 is formed on the bottom surface 70 of theputter head 62 to protect the putter head 62 from damage and enable agolfer to adjust the position of the putter. Also, the sole portionreduces the friction of the putter with the ground during a puttingstroke because the v-shaped sole reduces the surface area that contactsthe ground during a putt. The sole portion 80 is preferably made of adurable material such as stainless steel. However, it should beappreciated that any suitable material may be used to form the soleportion 80. The sole portion 80 is preferably integrally formed with thebottom surface 70 of the putter head. It should be appreciated that thesole portion 80 may also be a separate component that is secured to thebottom surface 70 using suitable fasteners. Preferably, the sole portionevenly distributes weight about the transverse axis 84 such that theweighted plug 88 does not need to compensate for the sole portion.

[0044] The shaft 60 is in one embodiment cylindrically shaped and isconnected to the putter head 62 at an offset position from the center ofthe top surface 68 of the putter head. In one embodiment, the shaft 60is inserted into the putter head 62. It should be appreciated that theshaft may be made of any suitable material. It should also beappreciated that the shaft may be formed into any suitable shape or sizethat complies with the USGA rules. The shaft is offset from the centerof the top surface 68 of the putter head 62 and extends upwardly andbackwardly away from the insertion point on the putter head asillustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5. It should be appreciated that theangle formed between the shaft and the transverse axis that extends fromthe center of the putter head is equal to or greater than the anglespecified by the USGA rules. In one embodiment, the shaft 60 includes agrip 61, as shown in FIG. 9, to help a golfer further control the putterduring a putt. The grip is preferably made of rubber or similar materialand enables a golfer to grasp and handle the shaft 60. The grip may bemade out of any suitable material as desired by the manufacturer.

[0045] The offset nature of the shaft 60 causes the weight of the toeand heel portions of the putter head to be unequal. Typically, theunevenly weighted putter head causes the putter head to be toe-weightedas described in detail above and makes a golfer have a less consistentand accurate putting stroke. The shaft 60 forms the transverse axis 94of the putter about which the weight of the toe and heel portions of theputter head act or pivot. Thus, the forces caused by the weight of thetoe and heel portions of the putter head 62 cause the putter head torotate about the transverse axis formed by the shaft. The presentinvention provides the weighted plug 88 in the heel portion of theputter head and centered along the same longitudinal axis as the centerof the insertion point of the offset shaft to exactly, substantially orapproximately balance the toe and heel portions of the head. Therefore,the putter is exactly, substantially or approximately balanced about thevertical axis 94 of the shaft. It should be appreciated that the weightdistribution between the toe and heel portions of the putter head willchange based on the positioning of the offset shaft on the putter head.

[0046] As indicated above, the weight of the weighted plug 88 will varybased on the type, size and style of putter as well as the position ofthe shaft on the putter head. The weight of the weighted plug 88 isselected based on the amount of weight that is needed to exactly balancethe weight of the heel portion 66 with the weight of the toe portion 64of the putter head about the offset shaft axis.

[0047] The facially-balanced putter head 62 of the present inventionevenly distributes the weight between the toe portion and the heelportion about the offset shaft axis using the weighted plug 88 so thatthe stroke direction of the front surface 72 is perpendicular to thecontact point of the golf ball. Thus, a golfer will regularly strike orcontact the golf ball evenly and squarely and thereby enables the golferto consistently and accurately aim and hit a golf ball towards a desiredlocation such as a hole on a green.

[0048] The face-balanced putter 50 also enables a golfer to have a moreuniform and consistent putting motion. Because the putter head 62 isevenly weighted, the putter will not move or change angles during themotion of the golfer's putting stroke. Therefore, a golfer can makeadjustments and align the putter head 62 with a desired area or hole andaccurately direct the golf ball to that desired location with aconsistent and fluid putting motion.

[0049] Referring now to FIG. 6, a schematic of a golf putter 50 isillustrated where the putter head 62 includes a toe portion 64 and aheel portion 66. In this example, the weight of the toe portion isdesignated by the letter A and the weight of the heel portion isdesignated by the letter B. The putter shaft 60 is attached to thecenter of the top of the putter head 62. The transverse axis 94 of theshaft 60 is exactly aligned with the transverse axis 84 that extendsfrom the center of the putter head. The transverse axis 94 formed by theshaft 60 divides the putter head 62 into two halves so that the size andshape of the toe portion 64 is approximately equal to the size and shapeof the heel portion 66. The toe and heel portions of the putter head 62are made from the same material and therefore the weight A of the toeportion is approximately equal to the weight B of the heel portion. Theputter head 62 is balanced about the center transverse axis 84 becauseweight A equals weight B. The weight distribution of the putter head 62becomes unequal, however, when the shaft 60 is offset or attached to theputter head at a different point than the center point shown in FIG. 6.

[0050] Referring now to FIG. 7, in this embodiment, the shaft 60 isattached to the putter head 62 at a point that is offset from the centertransverse axis of the putter head. The center transverse axis 84extends from the center of the putter head 62. The shaft transverse axis94 is the axis extending from the center of the insertion point of theshaft 60 in the putter head. The shaft transverse axis 94 is the pointabout which the putter head pivots or rotates based on the weightdistribution between the toe and heel portions of the putter head. InFIG. 6, the shaft transverse axis 94 of the shaft is equal to the centertransverse axis 84 of the putter head and therefore, the weights A and Bof the toe and heel portions balance about the shaft axis (i.e., A=B).In FIG. 7, the shaft transverse axis 94 and the center transverse axis84 are not in the same location on the putter head. The offset shaft 60,thus, causes the putter head 62 to be unevenly divided where the toeportion 64 is larger than the heel portion 66. Now, the toe portion 64includes the weight A of the original toe portion shown in FIG. 7, plusan additional weight X, which represents the extra weight of the toeportion that was created when the shaft 60 was offset from the centertransverse axis of the putter head. Now the combined or total weight ofthe toe portion 64, weight A plus weight X (i.e., Y), is greater thanthe new weight Z of the heel portion 66 (i.e., (A+X)>Z). Also note thatX plus Z equals A. The heavier toe portion 64 causes the angle of theputter head 62 to close during a putting stroke and increases thelikelihood that a golfer will not squarely contact a golf ball during aputt.

[0051] One embodiment of the present invention is schematicallyillustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B, where the weighted plug 88 having aweight D is inserted and attached to the putter head 62 to add weight tothe heel portion 66 and balance the putter head. As described above, areceptacle 78 is formed in the bottom surface of the putter head 62 sothat the weighted plug 88 (shown in FIG. 8B) may be inserted into thehead. The weight of the removed material to form the receptacle in theheel portion 66 of the putter head is represented by the letter C.Because material is removed from the putter head 62, the weight of theheel portion 66 becomes (Z−C), which is the weight of the heel portion Zminus the weight of the removed portion C. Therefore, to balance theputter head 62, the weight D of the weighted plug 88 shown in FIG. 8B,must be sufficient to add enough weight to the weight (Z−C) of the heelportion to equal the weight of the toe portion 64, which is A+X. Thus,the putter head in the present invention balances where the weight ofthe toe portion, A+X, equals the weight of the heel portion, Z−C+D(i.e., A+X=(Z−C)+D.)

[0052] The weight D of the weighted plug 88, thus, must equal the weightof the toe portion (A+X) minus the weight of the heel portion (Z−C).Thus, the total weight D of the weighted plug 88 is generally calculatedusing the following formula: D=(A+X)−(Z−C). The density of the materialthat forms the weighted plug 88 is therefore preferably greater than thedensity of the material that forms the putter head. It should beappreciated that D=Y−(Z−C), where Y is the weight of the toe portion, Zis the weight of the heel portion, and C is the weight of the removedportion of the body of the putter head, if any.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 8B, the weighted plug 88 is positioned on theputter head 62 so that the transverse axis 86 extending from the centerof the plug 88 is on the same longitudinal axis as the transverse axis94 of the offset shaft 60 (as illustrated in FIG. 4). The alignment ofthe transverse axes of the shaft and the weighted plug enables thepresent invention to exactly balance the weight between the toe and heelportions of the putter head in two directions. If the weighted plug 88or the shaft 60 are slightly off center and shift towards the front orback of the putter head 62, the weight distribution between the frontand back surfaces becomes uneven and causes the putter head to beunbalanced along the axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axisof the putter head. Therefore, to exactly balance the toe and heelportions of the putter head in two directions, the center transverseaxis 86 of the weighted plug 88 must be aligned on the same longitudinalaxis as the center of the shaft.

[0054] Referring now to FIG. 9, the golf putter of the present inventionis shown lying on a table 90. The front surface or face 72 of the putterhead 62 is facing upward away the table 90. This is known as aface-balanced putter. The weight of the toe portion 64 and the heelportion 66 of a putter head 62 balance about the center transverse axisof the offset shaft due to the insertion of the weight or weighted plug(not shown) in the heel portion of the putter head. Therefore, the faceor front surface 72 of the face-balanced putter head is parallel to theground and faces upward.

[0055] Referring now to FIG. 10, a further embodiment of the presentinvention is illustrated where the golf putter 50 a of the presentinvention includes a weighted plug 88 a that is inserted and attached tothe top 68 of the putter head 62 a. The center transverse axis 86 of theweighted plug 88 a is positioned along the same longitudinal axis 79 asthe center transverse axis 84 of the offset shaft 60. In this position,the weighted plug 88 a adds exactly, substantially or approximately thenecessary amount of weight to the heel portion 66 to balance the toe andheel portions of the putter head. It should be appreciated that theweighted plug may be positioned on the toe portion of the putter headwhere the shaft is offset to the toe portion side of the centertransverse axis of the putter head.

[0056] Referring now to FIG. 11, another embodiment of the presentinvention is illustrated where the golf putter 50 b includes a weightedplug 88 b that is attached to the exterior surface of the heel portionof the putter head 62. In this illustration, the weighted plug 88 b isattached to the end surface 75 of the heel portion of the putter head.To exactly, substantially or approximately balance the toe and heelportions of the putter head, the weighted plug 88 b is positioned suchthat the center of the weighted plug (i.e. which in this example is thecenter longitudinal axis) is parallel to and in the same plane as thelongitudinal axis 79 that intersects the center transverse axis 94 ofthe shaft 60. It should be appreciated that the weighted plug 88 b mayalso be positioned on the top and bottom surfaces of the putter head.

[0057] Referring now to FIG. 12, another embodiment of the golf putter50 c of the present invention is illustrated where the putter head 62 cincludes sight lines 92. The sight lines 92 are etched or formed in thetop surface 68 c of the putter head 62 c. One or more sight lines may beformed in the putter head 62 c as desired by the manufacturer. It shouldbe appreciated that the sight lines may be lines, circles or any othersuitable shape that enables a golfer to align a putt with a hole. Thesight lines 92 enable a golfer to better align and adjust the frontsurface 72 c of the putter head 62 c to face a desired putt location orhole. In this manner, the golfer will be able to contact and direct agolf ball to a desired location on a green.

[0058] It should be understood that various changes and modifications tothe presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention andwithout diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intendedthat such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:
 1. A golf putter comprising: aputter head having a center transverse axis; a shaft attached to saidputter head, said shaft being offset from the center transverse axis ofthe putter head and defining a toe portion having a weight and a heelportion having a weight; and a weighted plug attached to the heelportion of the putter head, wherein the weighted plug approximatelybalances the weight of the toe portion and the weight of the heelportion of the putter head.
 2. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein theheel portion defines a receptacle for receiving the weighted plug andthe weighted plug is secured in the receptacle.
 3. The golf putter ofclaim 2, wherein the approximate weight of the weighted plug is D whichis calculated based on the following formula: D=Y−(Z−C), wherein Y isthe weight of the toe portion, Z is the weight of the heel portion and Cis the weight of an amount of material of the putter head which would beneeded to fill the receptacle.
 4. The golf putter of claim 1, whereinthe weighted plug is attached to a surface of the heel portion of theputter head.
 5. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein the shaft and theweighted plug are positioned on a longitudinal axis of the putter head.6. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein the shaft and the weighted plugare positioned on a center longitudinal axis of the putter head.
 7. Thegolf putter of claim 1, wherein the shaft includes a curved portion of apredetermined length that is formed on one end of the shaft.
 8. The golfputter of claim 1, wherein the density of the material of the weightedplug is greater than the density of the material of the putter head. 9.The golf putter of claim 1, wherein the putter head includes a topsurface with at least one sight line for aligning the putter head with agolf hole.
 10. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein the weighted plugexactly balances the weight of the toe portion and the weight of theheel portion of the putter head.
 11. A golf putter comprising: a putterhead including a center transverse axis and a center longitudinal axis;a shaft attached to the putter head along the center longitudinal axisof the putter head, said shaft being offset from the center transverseaxis and defining a transverse shaft axis, a first portion of the putterhead on one side of the transverse shaft axis and a second portion ofthe putter head on the opposite side of the transverse shaft axis; and aweighted plug attached to the second portion of the putter head alongthe center longitudinal axis such that the weight of the first portionis substantially equal to a combined weight of the second portion andthe weighted plug.
 12. The golf putter of claim 11, wherein the secondportion defines a receptacle for receiving the weighted plug and theweighted plug is secured in the receptacle.
 13. The golf putter of claim12, wherein the approximate weight of the weighted plug is D which iscalculated based on the following formula: D=Y−(Z−C), wherein Y is theweight of the first portion, Z is the weight of the second portionwithout the weighted plug and C is the weight of an amount of materialof the putter head which would be needed to fill the receptacle.
 14. Thegolf putter of claim 11, wherein the weighted plug is attached to asurface of the second portion of the putter head.
 15. The golf putter ofclaim 11, wherein the shaft includes a curved portion of a predeterminedlength that is formed on one end of the shaft.
 16. The golf putter ofclaim 11, wherein the density of the material of the weighted plug isgreater than the density of the material of the putter head.
 17. Thegolf putter of claim 11, wherein the putter head includes a top surfacewith at least one sight line for aligning the putter head with a golfhole.
 18. The golf putter of claim 11, wherein the weighted plug exactlybalances the weight of the first portion and the weight of the secondportion of the putter head.
 19. A golf putter comprising: a putter headhaving a center transverse axis; a shaft attached to the putter head,said shaft being offset from the center transverse axis of the putterhead and defining a shaft transverse axis, a heel portion having aweight Y on one side of the shaft transverse axis, and a toe portionhaving a weight Z on an opposite side of the shaft transverse axis; areceptacle defined by said heel portion wherein an amount of materialneeded to fill the receptacle has a weight C; and a weighted plugattached to the putter head and having a weight which balances theweights of the toe and heel portions of the putter head, said weightedplug having a weight approximately equal to Y−(Z−C).
 20. The golf putterof claim 19, wherein the density of the material of the weighted plug isgreater than the density of the material of the putter head.
 21. Thegolf putter of claim 19, wherein the putter head includes a top surfacewith at least one sight line for aligning the putter head with a golfhole.
 22. The golf putter of claim 19, wherein the weighted plug exactlybalances the weight of the toe portion and the weight of the heelportion of the putter head.
 23. A method for making a golf putter, saidmethod comprising the steps of: (a) attaching a shaft to a putter headoffset from a center transverse axis of the putter head to define a toeportion having a weight Y and a heel portion having a weight Z; (b)calculating a weight D for a weighted plug to be attached to the heelportion to balance the toe portion and the heel portion, wherein D=Y−Z;and (c) attaching said weighted plug of weight D to the heel portion ofthe putter head to face balance the golf putter.
 24. The method of claim23, wherein the density of the material of the weighted plug is greaterthan the density of the material of the putter head.
 25. The method ofclaim 23, which includes the step of forming at least one sight line ina top surface of the putter head for aligning the putter head with adesired location on a green.